Electromagnetic motor



ELECTROMAGNET I G MOTOR Filed Nov. 15, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l ID I770611502 B; K. FB/NGE March 21, 1939. K PRINCE 2,151,355

ELEGTROMAGNET I C MOTOR Filed Nov. 15, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l wveflfor18K. Bel/v05 b v 3 WU 5277 71635 arch 21, 1939. R. K. PRINCE 2,151,355

ELECTROMAGNETIC MOTOR Filed Nov. 13, l935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar.21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE one-half to Ralph E.

Mass.

Thompson, Boston,

Application November 13, 1935, Serial No. 49,534

18 Claims.

This invention relates to electro-magnetic motors of a new typeemploying as a power source the action of a magnetic field ofperiodically varying flux density upon a vibratory magnetic meansassociated with or carried by a member whose actuation causes thevibratory means to pass in opposite directions through the field in anoscillatory manner, it being understood, as hereinafter described, thateither the vibratory m means or the field producing means may be carriedby the actuated member. The magnetic field is conveniently produced byan alternating current of 110 volts, 60 cycles, such as is commonlyprovided at the present time for public consumption, and alternations ofwhich are commonly controlled by astronomical clocks or theirequivalent. The vibratory means consists in whole or in part of magneticmaterial and its relation to the actuated member and field is such that,

20 upon actuation of the member, the vibratory means periodically passesin opposite directions through the field. During each such passage thevibratory means is vibrated by the field, and the reaction thereof onthe actuated member is such 05 as to both start and continue theactuation of the member.

The invention is adaptedto various uses, such as novelties andadvertising devices requiring a power output suificient only to provideand continue periodic motion of a member to be actuated, and is moreparticularly adapted to use in connection with timing or timekeepingmechanisms employing an oscillatory member or pendulum wherein theoscillation thereof is continued by imparting thereto small impulseseach time the member passes through its zero position, the pendulum orequivalent member being allowed to move freely during the rest of itsmovement. I am aware that it has been heretofore proposed to operate apendulum by imparting electro-magnetic impulses thereto, but

such prior proposals employ the use of make and break elements forinterrupting the circuit and/ or other additional equipment or parts,and

5 the use of such elements or parts has been found objectionable becauseof sticking, burring and other difficulties arising therefrom. Thisobjection is so great as to render such mechanisms undesirable andunprofitable, especially for time keeping purposes. It is pointed outthat my invention employs no such elements or parts, nor any equivalentthereof, and it is therefore adapted to operate continuously anduninterruptedly over long periods of time.

The response of the vibratory member in an alternating current field ofthe nature above described is not critical as far as power is concerned,and I find that when the vibratory member, as for example, a reed,possesses the ability to vibrate in a cycle field, for example, and 5 ifthis reedis attached to a simple or compound pendulum, energy isimparted to the pendulum and one of two conditions prevails as follows:

(1) In the event that a normal period of vibration of the pendulum isnot a sub-harmonic w of the 60 cycle current, energy will be imparted tothe pendulum and, if the actuated member be sufiiciently massive, thependulum will swing in its natural period or in a period approximatingthat of its natural period. 1

(2) If,.on the other hand, the normal period of the pendulum, bob andthe reed is such that it is approximately a sub-harmonic of a 60 cyclealternating current, or its equivalent, I find that the imparted energy,due to the varying flux of the alternating current field or a pulsatingdirect current field, is sufllcient to cause: (a) a continuous orperiodic motion in the pendulum which will be synchronous andsub-harmonic with the pulsations of the field, or (b) the impartedenergy will be suihcient to effect a positive input to the pendulumsystem to the end that timekeeping qualities are imparted it while or inpart because of the frequency of variation in magnetic flux.

Another feature of importance is the fact that temporary interruptionsof the current which commonly permit synchronous motors of a commontype, used for-timekeeping purposes, to stop, will have little or noeflect on my improved motor of the pendulum type. During suchinterruptions, the periodic motion of the pendulum may continue in itsnatural period for periods of several minutes and, upon return of thecurrent, the power thereof will immediately again tie in with theswinging of the pendulum to keep it in motion at the proper amplitudeand period.

While I have referred more particularly to pendulums of the swingingtype, it will be understood that my invention is not to be consid- 45ered as thus limited, since, as hereinafter described, the invention isalso applicable not only to pendulums of the torsion type, butfurthermore, to other actuated members mounted to move periodically inan oscillatory manner. Ex- 5 amples of such further constructions arehereinafter more specifically described, the object of the inventionbeing the production of a new and improved motor 01' the nature hereingenerally and specifically defined. 55

Various applications of my invention may require various forms ofmovement and a further feature of the invention relates moreparticularly to a pendulum of the type which oscillates within a singleplane and to means for obtaining rotary movement from such oscillatingmovement. Furthermore, as will hereinafter appear, this feature of theinvention not only serves the purpose of providing a rotarymotion, butalso serves the pu pose of regulating the oscillations of the pendulumto a degree of uniformity not otherwise obtainable.

These and other features of the invention will be best understood andappreciated from the following description of certain e bodimentsthereof selected for purposes of illu ration and shown in theaccompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my novel motor embodied in the form of asimple swinging pendulum.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the action of the pendulum.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the pendulum shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a further modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the invention embodied in a pendulum ofthe torsion type.

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7is a perspective view of a form of the invention utilizing a balancewheel as the actuated member.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 10 is a front elevation showing the device in operation.

My invention may be embodied in motors of various forms certain of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. One of the most practicalforms for utility purposes would appear to be a motor of the pendulumtype and, furthermore. while the invention and particularly the pendulumembodiment thereof is adaptable to various uses, it is believed to beespecially adapt able to use in timing or timekeeping mechanisms. Themany and various attempts heretofore made to develop a successfulelectrically operating motor of the oscillating or pendulum type fortime keeping purposes have commonly required an intermittent flow ofcurrent determined in its cycle by the periodic motion of the pendulumand have employed make and break mechanisms under the control of thependulum for this purpose. It will be appreciated that such make andbreak mechanisms not only complicate the motor and its operation, butalso that the additional actuating burden placed on the pendulum mayseriously aflfect its operation. Furthermore, and even moreobjectionable, is the unreliability of such make and break mechanismsand its net mechanical change over a period of time. A clock isnecessarily a delicate instrument and even a slight defect or thepossibility of frequent disorders renders it practically useless. Myinvention herein eliminates all such delicate and unreliable mechanismsand provides a simple electrically-operated pendulum which is given aslight propelling impulse each time it passes through its position ofrest.

If a magnetic vibratory member is placed in an electromagnetic field ofvarying flux density, the member will vibrate with the flux variations,and I have discovered that when such member,

of a further feature or the means producing such field, is carried by amember to be actuated, such as a pendulum, the reaction between thevibratory member and the field keeps the actuated member in constantmotion. I have furthermore discovered that when such a pendulum is somounted that the vibratory member is normally in said field, when thependulum is at rest, the reactions between the vibratory member and thefieldwill start the pendulum swinging and keep it swinging at itsperiodic rate.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated certain embodiments ofmy invention in connection with such a pendulum.

In Figs. 1 and 3 is shown a preferred form of the invention embodying asimple swinging pendulum. This pendulum comprises a rod III hung from asupport II, as by means of a reed I I. A vibratory member in the form ofa flat reed it of magnetic material is carried by and projects beyondthe free end of the pendulum. Beneath the pendulum and mad l6, andsubstantially at the position of rest thereof, is mounted a solenoid i8capable of producing a magnetic field, the core 20 of the solenoid beingin proximity to and substantially in alignment with the zero or restposil tion of the reed I6. The solenoid is illustrated as mounted on abracket 22 adjustable toward and from the reed it under the action of ascrew 24.

It is desirable that the pendulum motor should operate on alternatingelectric current such as is commonly provided in homes and, when thesolenoid I8 is energized with such a current, the pulsations in themagnetic field produced cause the reed Hi to vibrate when the reed islocated substantially in the field, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.When this vibration is of suflicient amplitude the reaction thereofagainst the pendulum causes the pendulum to vibrate or swing andeventually to be brought up to its full periodic motion. The amplitudeof reed vibration increases as the reed and solenoid are brought closertogether and the solenoid may be brought to its proper relative positionby the means of the screw 24. After the pendulum is in motion it is keptoscillating by a slight impulse given thereto each time it passesthrough and beyond its zero position. While the reason for this actionand reaction is believed to be as hereinafter pointed out, it will beunderstood that the phenomenon is only the best explanation he has sofar discovered.

the reed l6 vibrates during its passage through the field, but reedvibration may not be apparent at the ends of the pendulum movement. Asthe pendulum swings from left to right (Fig. 2) the magnetic attraction,acting on and bending the reed forwardly and drawing the pendulumforwardly, increases as the reed approaches its zero position, asindicated by the graph 26. When the reed reaches the position a itbegins to vibrate to such an extent as to neutralize or lose theattractive forces theretofore acting thereon and drawing the pendulumforwardly. Thus as the reed passes inwardly through the distance A, itis substantially free from any magnetic attraction affecting the swingof the pendulum. After the reed leaves the zero position it continues tovibrate sufficiently to eliminate the said attractive effect on thependunew and applicant is herein giving of the pendulum substantiallyaffected by the field. It will be noted that the distance B is greaterthan the distance A by the distance C, and the pendulum is being drawnforwardly during its passage through the distance C. When the pendulumswings from right to left, the same action takes place in reverse order.Thus it will be apparent that, during each stroke, the pendulum is givenan impetus forwardly equal to the magnetic attraction of the field onthe reed through a distance C.

While in Figs. 1 and 2 I have illustrated the vibratory reed as carriedat the lower end of the pendulum and passing over and above thesolenoid, I desire it to be understood that such arrangement is notessential and may be modified considerably for various reasons. Forexample, in Fig. 3 I have illustrated a pendulum 28 mounted to swingabout a point 80 and carrying a reed suspended over the solenoid 82.This pendulum may also be provided with one or more arms 34 carryingreeds cooperating with solenoids 35 and 36. It will be apparent thatlocating the solenoid below the pendulum, as in Fig. 1, has the effectof increasing the weight of the pendulum, due to the magnetic down-pullon the reed, and thereby somewhat affecting the normal periodic motionof the pendulum. In like manner, the locating of the solenoid above thependulum, as at 35, will have the effect of decreasing the weight of thependulum, due to the magnetic uppull on the reed. In some cases it maybe desirable to use both such solenoids, one of which neutralizes thegravity effect of the other. In other cases, however, it may bedesirable to use one or more solenoids located laterally of the pendulumas at 36 it being apparent that such solenoids do not affect the weightof the pendulum.

While it is believed simpler and preferable to mount the vibratorymember on the pendulum, it will be apparent that the motions involvedare due to a reaction between the vibratory member and the meansproducing the magnetic field and that therefore either such means or thevibratory member may be carried by the pendulum. In Fig. 4 I haveillustrated a pendulum in which these parts are reversed to those shownin Fig. 1. The pendulum 88 is mounted in like manner as the pendulum Illand carries a solenoid 40 on its free end, the solenoid serving as 9.bob for the pendulum. Beneath the core 42 of the solenoid and at thepoint of rest of the pendulum is mounted a vibratory reed 44. As thesolenoid swings past the reed, the reed is vibrated and reacts on thesolenoid and the pendulum to start and continue the swinging movementthereof in the same manner as already described in connection with Fig.1.

In Figs. and 6, I have shown the invention as applied to a pendulum ofthe torsion type. In this case the pendulum comprises a weight 46 swungfrom a support 48 by means of a fiat reed 50 of magnetic material. Asolenoid 52 is mounted adjacent to the reed in such position that itscore 54 is near one edge of the reed, the core preferably being placedslightly to one side of the normal position of the reed. When apulsating current is passed through the solenoid the reed is attractedand is vibrated laterally past the solenoid with the pulsations. Asthese vibrations increase the weight is given a rotating movement whicheventually results in reversibly rotating the weight through its fullperiodic motion. The action is believed to be substantially the same asthat described in connection with Fig. 1 whereby the pendulum is given aslight imguise forward each time it passes the zero posi- The invention,as above specifically described, contemplates the use of swinging ortorsion types of pendulums, and it will be apparent that other wellknown types of oscillating mechanism may be used in like manner. Whileeither the coil producing the magnetic field or the vibratory elementmay be carried by the oscillatory member, I find that it is preferableand. simpler to attach the vibratory element to the pendulum and allowit periodically to pass through the magnetic field, it being understood,however, that reference to passage of the element through the field, asherein described and claimed, refers to relative movement rather than tospecific movement of either the element or the field producing coil. Therelation of the parts is such that the vibratory element is normallywithin the field, although not necessarily disposed centrally therein ormidway thereof.

considered as thus limited, and that it is also applicable to otheractuated members mounted to oscillate in a similar manner. For example,in Fig. 7, I have illustrated the invention as embodied in a balancewheel of the type commonly employed in clocks and like timingmechanisms. This embodiment comprises a member or wheel 58 mounted torotate on studs 58 and counterbalanced on opposite sides of its normallydisposed position by a spring 60. A vibratory reed 62 of magneticmaterial is mounted on the wheel to project laterally thereof. Thespring normally holds the wheel in the position illustrated and twosolenoids 84 are located with their cores 66 adjacent to the ends of thereed. When the solenoids are energized with a pulsating current, thepulsations in the magnetic fields produced cause the reed ends tovibrate. This vibration, reacting laterally of and against the reed andwheel causes the wheel to vibrate rotatably and eventually to oscillatewith periodic motion. Thereafter the wheel is kept at such motion by theslight impulses imparted thereto through the reed as the latter passesthrough the fields, as heretofore described in connection withpendulums.

The form of invention illustrated in Figs. 8-10 is like that shown inFigs. 1 and 2 except that a further feature is added thereto. It may insome cases be desirable to produce rotary motion from the oscillatingmotion of the pendulum and/or to regulate the uniformity of the pendulumoscillations, the added mechanism illustrated in these figures of thedrawings being adapted to serve such functions. The pendulum with itsbob I2 is supported by a reed 14 for pivotal movement on and about apost I6, an open frame I8 being provided between the pendulum rod 10 andthe reed 14. The pendulum may be oscillated by the coaction of anelectro-magnet 80 and a vi-' bratory reed 82 carried by the pendulum, inthe manner heretofore described in reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

The post 16 is carried on a back plate 84 which also carries theremaining mechanism now to be described. A shaft 86 rotatably supportedin the plate 84 carries a crown wheel 88 located within the open frame18 and within the plane of oscillation of the pendulum. Also rotatablysupported on the plate 84 is a shaft 80 carrying a pallet 92 having twoteeth 98 at its ends cooperating with the teeth I! of the wheel I! torotate the wheel in the direction ofthe arrow upon oscillation of thepallet under the action oi a weight on the other end oi an upwardlyextending rod ll rigid with the pallet. The weight is located in th'eupper restricted portion ot the frame "and its'pivotal movement islimited by two pins 98 also carried by the plate 84.

Pivotal movement of the pallet 92 within the limits of the pins .9! actsthrough the teeth 93 and N to rotate'the wheel It in the direction ofthe arrow, each tooth 93 engaging the long side of a tooth 95 androtating the wheel through such engagement-until the straight side ofthe adjacent tooth 98 comes into contact with the tooth II. In movingfrom one side to the other through its zone'of operation, the rod 96passes through a neutral position, which position is thevertlcallyextending position of the rod. At each pendulum oscillationthe upper restricted portion of the frame II contacts the weight 94 andmoves it through'the said neutral position, the weight thereupon fallingahead of the pendulum movement and functioning through the pallet torotate the wheel forwardly. Thus a rotary movement is obtalned'irom theoscillating movement of the pendulum. A further and possibly moreimportant result is the regulatory action of this mechanism on thependulum. The amount of energy required of the pendulum to move theweight isuniiorrn at each oscillation of the pendulum and this action issuch as to regulate or control the pendulum oscillations to a preciseuniformity and regularity otherwise difilcult or impossible to produce.It will also be apparent that the locating of the functioning mechanismwithin the frame 18 and the plane of oscillation of the pendulumresultsin keeping the pendulum oscillations true and always within saidplane.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,

1. An electro-magneticmotor, comprising means for producing a magneticfield of varying fiux densltyjvibratory means presenting magneticmaterial in. said field, and an actuated member, one of said means beingmounted on and for oscillation with said member and the other meansbeing so located that said magnetic material passes transversely.through said field upon said oscillation, said field causing thevibratory means to vibrate at each passage therethrough and to react onsaid member to oscillate it at a rate less than the rate of vibration ofthe vibratory means.

2. The motor defined in claim 1 in which said vibratory means isassociated with the actuated member in position repeatedly to pass saidmagnetic material in opposite directions through said field.

3. The motor defined in claim 1 in which said vibratory means is a.fiexible reed containing magnetic material.

4. The motor defined in claim 1 in which said vibratory means is aflexible reed containing magnetic material, and wherein the reed is solocated that a freely flexible end thereof repeatedly passes through thefield upon actuation of the said member.

5. An electro-magnetic motor comprising means for producing a pulsatingmagnetic field, vibratory means presenting magnetic material in saidfield, and a member supported for movement about its point of supportand associated with and in position to impart periodic motion to one ofsaid means relative and adjacent to the other means and repeatedly passthe vibratory means in opposite directions through the field, said fieldcausing the vibratory means to vibrate at each passage through the fieldand to react on the member to maintain said periodic motion.

6. An electro-magnetic motor comprising means for producing a magneticfield of varying fiux density, vibratory means presenting magneticmaterial in said field and an actuated pendulum associated with and inposition to oscilkte one of said means therewith adjacent to the othermeans and repeatedly pass the vibratory means through the field, saidfield causing the vibratory means to vibrate at each passage through thefield and to react on and maintain the pendulum in oscillation.

7. The motor defined in claim 6 in which the pendulum is mounted tooscillate about an axis extending transversely of the longitudinal axisof the pendulum.

8. The motor defined in claim 6 in which the pendulum is mounted tooscillate about an axis extending longitudinally of and through thependulum.

9. The motor defined in claim 6 in which the rate of the fiux densityvariations of said field is approximately a multiple of the natural rateof oscillation of the pendulum.

10. An electro-magnetic motor, comprising means for producing apulsating magnetic field, vibratory means including a flat reed ofmagnetic material normally in said field, and an actuated pendulumassociated with and in position to oscillate one of said means with thependulum relatively and closely adjacent to the other means and pass thereed through the field, said field causing the reed to vibrate at eachpassage through the field and to react on and maintain the pendulum inoscillation.

11. A self-starting electro-magnetic motor, comprising means forproducing a pulsating magnetic field, vibratory means presentingmagnetic material in said field, and an actuated pendulum associatedwith one of said means and so mounted that said magnetic material is insaid field when the pendulum is at rest and passes alternately inopposite direction through the field when the pendulum is in motion,said field being adapted to vibrate the vibratory means and by reactingon the pendulum to start and continue the actuation of the pendulum in apredetermined path repeatedly passing the vibratory means through thefield. v

12. An electro-magnetic motor, comprising means for producing apulsating magnetic field, a vibratory member presenting magneticmaterial in said field, and an actuated pendulum associated with and inposition to oscillate said member with the pendulum relatively andadjacent to said means and pass the magnetic material through the field,said field causing the vibratory member to vibrate and actuate thependulum at each passage of the magnetic material through the field.

13. An electro-magnetic motor, comprising means for producing apulsating magnetic field, a pendulum mounted for oscillation adjacent tosaid means, and a vibratory reed of magnetic material carried by thependulum and having a free and unloaded end positioned to pass throughand be vibrated by said field upon oscillation of the pendulum.

14. An eJectro-magnetic motor, comprising a member mounted ioroscillation about a fixed axis,

means for producing a magnetic field of varying fiux density, vibratorymeans carried by the memher and presenting magnetic material insaid-field and arranged to pass alternately in opposite directionsthrough the field as the member oscillates, and resilient meansassociated with the member and normally holding the member in acentrally disposed position with the vibratory means in said field, thefield causing the vibratory means to vibrate and give an oscillatingimpulse to the member at each passage thereof through the field and saidresilient means actin to regulate such oscillation and return the memberto said centrally disposed position.

15. The motor defined in claim 14 in which the vibratory means is aflexible reed containing magnetic material and having a free andunloaded end normally in centrally disposed position in the field.

16. An electro-magnetio motor comprising a member mounted foroscillation about a fixed axis, a reed of magnetic material mountedbetween its ends on the member and extending transversely thereof at apoint remote from said axis, the member normally being locatedapproximately at its midpoint of oscillation, and means for producingpulsating magnetic fields adjacent to the ends of the reed when locatedat said midpoint 01' oscillation, said fields causing the reed end tovibrate and oscillate the member.

17. In combination, means for producing a pulsatin: magnetic field,vibratory means including a flat reed of magnetic material locatednormally in said field, an actuated pendulum associated with and inposition to oscillate one of said means with the pendulum relatively toand in a path closely adjacent to the other means and pass the reedalternately in opposite directions through the field, said field causingthe reed to vibrate and to give an oscillating impulse to the pendulumat each passage of the reed through the field, a rotary member supportedindependently of the pendulum, and means including a crown wheel anddouble pallet cooperating with the pendulum for causing rotation of themember in one direction and preventing reverse rotation thereof uponactuation of the pendulum.

18. In combination, a pendulum mounted to swing about an axis extendingtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the pendulum, a rotary toothedwheel supported independently of the pendulum, a pivoted membersupported independently of the pendulum, means carried by the pivotedmember for cooperating with the teeth of said wheel to rotate the wheelupon pivotal movement of the pivoted member, a weight carried by thepivoted member, and means limiting the pivotal movement of the pivotedmember through a zone wherein the weight passes through a neutralposition, the pendulum being arranged to carry the weight in oppositedirections through said neutral .position upon movement of the pendulumin opposite directions respectively.

ROBERT K. PRINCE.

